Digital information library and delivery system with logic for generating files targeting a playback device

ABSTRACT

A computer network based digital information library system employing authentication and encryption protocols for the secure transfer of digital information library programs to a client computer system and a mobile digital information playback device removably connectable to the client computer system. The present invention is a computer network based library and information delivery system for accessing and obtaining selected digital information files. The library and information delivery system comprises: 1) a library server having a plurality of digital information files; 2) a client computer system coupled to the library server over a network; and 3) a mobile device removably connectable to the client computer system, the client computer system including logic for requesting a download of a selected one or more of the digital information files from the library server, the client computer system further including logic for downloading the selected one or more of the digital information files to the mobile device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a digital informationtransmission, receiving, and playback system. Specifically, the presentinvention pertains to a computer network based digital informationlibrary providing interactive client computer access.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0002] Recent technological advances in the compression of digital dataand the expansion of storage capacities of computer systems togetherwith the increased bandwidth of computer network infrastructures havecreated new possibilities for personalized access to and usage of largeamounts of digital information. One form of this type of digitalinformation is audio information delivered across a computer network asdigitized information.

[0003] In the field of interactive digital information transmission,receiving, and playback systems, several patents are known to thepresent applicants. U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,992, issued Jul. 21, 1992 toYurt et al. (Yurt), describes a system of distributing video and/oraudio information employing digital signal processing to achieve highrates of data compression. The Yurt patent describes a transmissionsystem including a conversion means for placing the items from a sourcematerial library into a predetermined format as formatted data. Audiodata is compressed by an audio compressor by application of an adaptivedifferential pulse code modulation (ADPCM) process to the audio data.Stored items are accessed in the compressed data library through the useof a unique address code assigned to each item during storage encoding.The unique address code is used for requesting and accessing informationand items throughout the Yurt transmission and receiving process. TheYurt transmission system includes means by which a user enters acustomer identifier (ID) code by which the system accesses the usersaccount, and indicates to the system that the user is a subscriber ofthe system. If a subscriber is in good standing, the Yurt systemdelivers selected titles using the described techniques.

[0004] One significant problem with the audio transmission and receivingsystem described in Yurt is the lack of an effective means for ensuringthe security of the digital information library and of the itemsdownloaded to a user from the digital information library. Although Yurtdescribes the use of a unique identification code assigned to items inthe library and a customer ID code assigned to particular users, noauthentication protocols or encryption techniques are described toprevent the unauthorized creation of clone libraries or the unauthorizeddownload or copying of library items. Secondly, Yurt and related priorart does not describe an authentication or encryption means providingsecure transactions between a server based digital information librarysupporting a client computer system having an interface to a mobileplayback device. Thirdly, the prior art does not describe a mechanismfor selecting a digital information passage to be previewed. Prior artsystems also do not describe a system whereby only part of a programgets downloaded from a client computer system to a mobile playbackdevice depending on how much storage space is available in the mobileplayback device. Prior art systems also do not describe a mechanism forspecifying multiple programs to be downloaded from a digital informationlibrary into a mobile playback device. Prior art systems also do notdetail the processes required in the authoring system to generatecontent for the digital information library. Finally, prior art systemsdo not describe an accounting system whereby library content providerscan perform real-time queries on usage information related to the accessof library items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a computernetwork based digital information library system employingauthentication, targeting, and encryption protocols for the securetransfer of digital information library programs to a client computersystem and a mobile digital information playback device removablyconnectable to the client computer system. The present invention is acomputer network based library and information delivery system foraccessing and obtaining selected digital information files. The libraryand information delivery system comprises: 1) a library server having aplurality of digital information files; 2) a client computer systemcoupled to the library server over a network; and 3) a mobile deviceremovably connectable to the client computer system, the client computersystem including logic for requesting a download of a selected one ormore of the digital information files from the library server, theclient computer system further including logic for downloading theselected one or more of the digital information files to the mobiledevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of thepresent specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiment ofthe present invention and together with the general description givenabove and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment givenbelow serve to explain and teach the principles of the presentinvention.

[0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical computer platform on which thepresent invention may be implemented.

[0008]FIG. 2 illustrates a high level block diagram of the computernetwork based digital information library system of the presentinvention.

[0009]FIG. 3 illustrates a high level block diagram of the authoringsystem of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a plurality oflibrary servers.

[0011]FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a plurality oflibrary server processes.

[0012]FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a singleauthoring/authorization server.

[0013]FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein clientcomputer systems have a local library.

[0014]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein mobileplayback devices have a direct network interface in lieu of a clientcomputer system.

[0015]FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein a kiosk isused to retain and distribute selected programming.

[0016]FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein all systemcomponents are connected through a common network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a computernetwork based digital information library system employingauthentication, targeting, and encryption protocols for the securetransfer of digital information library programs to a client computersystem and a mobile digital information playback device removablyconnectable to the client computer system. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that these specific detailsneed not be used to practice the present invention. In other instances,well known structures, interfaces, and processes have not been shown indetail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical data processing system upon which oneembodiment of the present invention is implemented. It will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art, however that other alternativesystems of various system architectures may also be used. The dataprocessing system illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a bus or other internalcommunication means 101 for communicating information, and a processor102 coupled to the bus 101 for processing information. The systemfurther comprises a random access memory (RAM) or other volatile storagedevice 104 (referred to as main memory), coupled to bus 101 for storinginformation and instructions to be executed by processor 102. Mainmemory 104 also may be used for storing temporary variables or otherintermediate information during execution of instructions by processor102. The system also comprises a read only memory (ROM) and/or staticstorage device 106 coupled to bus 101 for storing static information andinstructions for processor 102, and a mass storage device 107 such as amagnetic disk drive or optical disk drive. Mass storage device 107 iscoupled to bus 101 and is typically used with a computer readable massstorage medium 108, such as a magnetic or optical disk, for storage ofinformation and instructions. The system may further be coupled to adisplay device 121, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 for displayinginformation to a computer user. An alphanumeric input device 122,including alphanumeric and other keys, may also be coupled to bus 101through bus 103 for communicating information and command selections toprocessor 102. An additional user input device is cursor control 123,such as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, or cursor direction keys coupledto bus 101 through bus 103 for communicating direction information andcommand selections to processor 102, and for controlling cursor movementon display device 121. Another device which may optionally be coupled tobus 101 through bus 103 is a hard copy device 124 which may be used forprinting instructions, data, or other information on a medium such aspaper, film, or similar types of media. In the preferred embodiment, acommunication device 125 is coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 for usein accessing other nodes of a network computer system or other computerperipherals. This communication device 125 may include any of a numberof commercially available networking peripheral devices such as thoseused for coupling to an Ethernet, token ring, Internet, or wide areanetwork. It may also include any number of commercially availableperipheral devices designed to communicate with remote computerperipherals such as scanners, terminals, specialized printers, or audioinput/output devices. Communication device 125 may also include an RS232or other conventional serial port, a conventional parallel port, a smallcomputer system interface (SCSI) port or other data communication means.Communications device 125 may use a wireless means of data transferdevices such as the infrared IRDA protocol, spread-spectrum, or wirelessLAN. In addition, communication device 125 is used in the preferredembodiment to couple the mobile playback device 212 to the clientcomputer system 214 as described in more detail below. One other deviceused in the preferred embodiment is sound circuitry 130 either withattached speakers or headphones 132, or with analog audio outputssuitable for input into audio reproduction equipment such as externalamplifiers and speakers, cassette adapters, etc. Sound circuitry 130 iswell known in the art for playing audio files. Alternatively, soundcircuitry may be a radio transmitter which transmits audio data on apredefined frequency for reception and playback by a radio receiver.Other wireless methods are possible.

[0019] Note that any or all of the components of the system illustratedin FIG. 1 and associated hardware may be used in various embodiments ofthe present invention; however, it will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art that any configuration of the system may beused for various purposes according to the particular implementation. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the data processing systemillustrated in FIG. 1 is an IBM® compatible personal computer (PC), anApple MacIntosh® personal computer, or a SUN® SPARC Workstation.Processor 102 may be one of the 80X86 compatible microprocessors such asthe 80486 or PENTIUM® brand microprocessors manufactured by INTEL®Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif.

[0020] The software implementing the present invention can be stored inmain memory 104, mass storage device 107, or other storage mediumaccessible to processor 102. It will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art that the methods and processes described herein can beimplemented as software stored in main memory 104 or read only memory106 and executed by processor 102. This software may also be resident onan article of manufacture comprising a computer usable mass storagemedium 108 having computer readable program code embodied therein andbeing readable by the mass storage device 107 and for causing theprocessor 102 to perform digital information library transactions andprotocols in accordance with the teachings herein.

[0021] Digital Information Library System

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates the computer network architecture used in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention. In general, the networkarchitecture of the present invention includes a library site 250coupled to a client site 210 via a conventional distribution networkinfrastructure 240. This conventional distribution networkinfrastructure 240 can be implemented as a standard telephone connectionprovided between the library site 250 and client site 210 through anInternet provider to enable data communication on the Internet over aconventional telephone network. This use of the Internet as adistribution network is well known to those of ordinary skill in theart. In an alternative embodiment having cable modem capability,communication over a conventional cable network is possible in lieu ofcommunication over the telephone network. The cable network is typicallymuch faster (i.e. provides a much greater bandwidth) than the standardtelephone network; however, cable modems are typically more expensivethan standard POTS (plain old telephone system) modems. In anotheralternative embodiment having conventional Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN) capability, the distribution network 240 is accessedusing an ISDN modem. Again, the ISDN network is typically faster thanthe POTS network; however, access to an ISDN network is generally moreexpensive. Cable modems and ISDN implementations are alternativecommunications media to the POTS implementation.

[0023] In addition, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art that other forms of networking may equivalently be supported bythe present invention. For example, a wireless transmission means suchas infrared or radio links may also provide the distribution network 240described in the present application. As an alternative to the Internet,a proprietary network/bulletin board such as AMERICA-ON-LINE (AOL), orCOMPUSERVE may be used.

[0024] Each of the servers at library site 250 and the client computersystem 214 at client site 210 can be implemented as a computer systemsuch as the one described above in connection with FIG. 1. It will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the library server260, authoring system 280, and authorization server 270 can be remotelylocated yet networked together as a distributed system using thetechniques described above. In addition, the present invention allowsfor multiple library servers, authoring systems and authorizationservers. Conversely, the servers may be implemented as separatefunctions of a single machine. These alternative embodiments areillustrated in FIGS. 4-8 and are described in more detail below.

[0025] The mobile playback device 212 is a minimally configured,low-cost, standalone mobile unit for receiving and storing digitalinformation files or programs as downloaded by library server 260 andclient computer system 214 and for playing back the digital informationfiles or programs for a user of the mobile playback device 212. Themobile playback device 212 is temporarily removably coupled to theclient computer system 214 while the download takes place. Oncedownloaded, the mobile playback device 212 may be detached from theclient computer system 214 and used as a standalone digital informationplayback device. A co-pending U.S. Patent Application titled,“Interactive Audio Transmission, Receiving and Playback System”,assigned Ser. No. 08/490,537, and assigned to the Audible WordsCorporation of Montclair, N.J. describes the details of mobile playbackdevice 212.

[0026] In its basic form, the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is a digital information library system providing selection ofdigital information programming on demand over a computer network. In analternative embodiment, the digital information programming is selectedvia the computer network but delivered using mass storage media 241.This alternative embodiment is described in more detail below.

[0027] The digital information library is an indexed collection ofdigital information programming, drawing content from digitalinformation sources such as books, daily news and entertainment feeds,conferences and educational sources, other computer systems, the host onthe World Wide Web (WWW) of the Internet, and customized audio or visualimage programming. Other sources of the digital information contentinclude, but are not limited to, conference or seminar proceedings,lecture or speech materials, language lessons, readings, comedy,customized spoken digests and related, “need-to-know” businessinformation, computer software, local sound studio material, text tospeech conversion of machine readable files, pre-recorded material frommagnetic tape, CD-ROM, digital audio tape, or analog cassette tape. Thisdigital information content is input as raw digital information contentto authoring system 280 shown in FIG. 2. In an alternative embodiment, araw digital information digitizer 307 is included for receiving rawinput and converting the input to a digital form which can bemanipulated as a digital information file.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the digital information comprisesdigitized image or graphics data used to produce visual images on adisplay screen or projection screen These images may be included in thedigital information retained and maintained by the library server 260.

[0029] Authoring System

[0030] Authoring system 280 is used to edit, index, compress, scramble,segment, and catalog digital information content into digitalinformation programs in digital information files, which are stored onmass storage media 241 or on library server 260 as scrambled andcompressed digital information files 262. The digital informationprograms are initially categorized according to traditional criteria(e.g. genre, modem fiction, mystery, adventure, romance, non-fiction,classics, self-help, science fiction, westerns, etc.). Categoriesassociated with specific authors or publishers are also provided. Bothunabridged and abridged titles are provided. In some circumstances, itmay be necessary to digitize digital information content from anundigitized form. The raw information digitizer 307 is provided for thispurpose. Authoring system 280 also partitions digital informationcontent into segments, which can be identified, searched, and skippedover if desired. All of these functions are performed by authoringsystem 280.

[0031]FIG. 3 illustrates the authoring system 280 of the preferredembodiment. Authoring system 280 receives digital information contentfrom a variety of conventional sources as raw digitized data. Thisdigital information data is fed to three components of the authoringsystem 280 of the preferred embodiment. The digital informationcompressor 314 receives the raw digital data and compresses thedigitized data. There are a variety of conventional techniques inexistence for compressing digital data. These techniques can beoptimized depending upon the type of digital data being processed. Thus,the present invention provides several compression methods and a meansfor the authoring system operator 305 to select between these methodsbased upon the category of digital information content 310 being inputto the digital information compressor 314. Alternatively, the selectionof compression method may be performed automatically by interpretationof the digital information content 310 itself. A compressed digitalinformation file is output by digital information compressor 314 toscrambler 318.

[0032] The raw digital information content 310 is also fed to templateheader generator 312. Each digital information file maintained by thelibrary server 260 includes other descriptive information used toidentify the file's content and to provide information used to processthe digital information within the file. Each digital information fileincludes a template header, a descrambling map, selected preview clips,and the digital information programming itself. In the preferredembodiment, the template header comprises a number of attributescorresponding to the digital information in the file. For example, thedigital information may be audio information generated from the contentof a book or other published work. In this example, the audio filetemplate header contains attributes including: 1) the title of a book,volume, or medium from which the digital information content originated,2) the legal copyright associated with the digital information content,3) audible title(s) of the content, 4) a table of contents of thecontent, and 5) playback settings for appropriately playing or renderingthe digital information. The table of contents contains contentnavigation information including but not limited to: the number ofchapters, the length of the program, and information indicative of therelevant content sections. The table of contents is generated with inputfrom authoring system operator 305 or automatically by analysis ofdigital information content 310. The descrambling map 322 is used tointerpret the digital information after the digital information has beenscrambled by scrambler 318 as described below. The preview clips 324comprise short pre-generated portions of digital information contentused to give a consumer a sense of the content of a particular digitalinformation file. In the preferred embodiment, these previews aregenerated as conventional formatted files which can be directly playedby sound generation circuitry 130 or rendered by other means. A digitalinformation file can have several preview clips associated with it. Thepreview clips 324 are not compressed or scrambled in the preferredembodiment. The template header 312 remains with the digital informationfile as it is transferred to the network 240 or mass storage media 241.The other descriptive information related to a digital information fileis typically stored with digital information file, but is not requiredto be so stored.

[0033] Referring again to FIG. 3, template header generator 312generates the template header given information from a particularportion of digital information content 310. Input from Authoring SystemOperator 305 and Digital Information Compressor 314 may be solicitedduring the header generation process. The template header is provided tolibrary server 260. Other portions of the digital information fileheader are provided by scrambler 318 and preview generator 323. Theseportions of the digital information file header are assembled into theheader for a particular digital information file by library server 260.The remainder of the digital information file is filled with compressed,scrambled, and segmented digital information content.

[0034] After digital information compressor 314 has compressed the rawdigital information using a selected compression method suitable for thecategory of digital information, the scrambler 318 scrambles the digitalinformation. The digital information is scrambled to prevent anunauthorized consumer from using the digital information. In thepreferred embodiment, scrambler 318 uses a conventional encryptionmethod to render the data unusable. A corresponding descrambling map 322is generated to provide a means for descrambling the scrambled digitalinformation file. A scrambling map 316 is used by scrambler 318 toscramble the digital information file. The scrambler 318 can encrypt theentire digital information file or selected critical subsets of thedigital information file. The level of scrambling can be selecteddepending upon the capabilities of the authoring system 280, the mobileplayback device 212 and/or the anticipated software player 226 on clientcomputer system 214. In an alternative embodiment, a proprietary digitalinformation format is used in lieu of scrambler 318.

[0035] The scrambled digital information content is output by scrambler318 to segmentation logic 326. Segmentation logic 326 partitions thedigital information content into blocks for efficient storage in andtransfer to a mobile playback device 212 or software player 226 and forefficient navigation during playback. Transport integrity data isgenerated and appended to the segmented digital information. In analternate embodiment, portions of the segmentation process may takeplace before or after digital information compressor 314 and scrambler318. Segmentation information may also be used in the header generationprocess by template header generator 312. The compressed, scrambled, andsegmented digital information blocks are provided to the library server260 by authoring system 280. Library server 260 assembles the segmenteddigital information blocks, the descrambling map 322, the previewclip(s) 324, and the template header 312 for a particular item ofdigital information content into a digital information program file orfiles, which are stored in a digital information program file storagearea 262. Other raw digital information content is converted intodigital information files using the authoring system 280 in a similarmanner.

[0036] Library Server

[0037] Referring again to FIG. 2, the library server 260 is responsiblefor maintaining the digital information program files 262 created by theauthoring system 280. In addition, the library server 260 receivesrequests for access to the digital information program files 262 fromclient computer systems 214 over network 240 and manages purchase anddelivery of the selected digital information files and/or delivery ofselected preview clips 324. The library server 260 includes librarymanagement software 261 for performing these library server functionsand a library key 263 used for the authentication protocol describedbelow. Library management software 261 includes processing logic forreceiving and responding to client computer system 214 requests foraccess and/or purchase of a digital information program file 262. Uponreceiving such a client request, library server 260 uses authorizationserver 270 to authenticate the request with client information 272generated and maintained by library server 260 or authorization server270. The client information 272 includes client identifiers which areused to target content for playback on individual mobile playbackdevices 212 or software players 226. Client information 272 may alsocontain client personal information, user content preferences, clientbilling history, player usage history, and player group lists. In analternative embodiment, portions of client information 272 may insteadbe stored in server 260. Using the authorization protocol described inmore detail below, the library server 260 determines if the clientrequest can be serviced. If approved, the library server 260 accessesthe digital information program file(s) or preview clip(s) requested bythe client computer system 214, delivers the selected preview clip(s) orbuilds encrypted, targeted, and digitally signed digital informationfiles using the authentication protocol described in more detail below,and transfers the encrypted and compressed digital information file(s)to the requesting client computer system 214 via network 240.Distributable mass storage media 241 may also be used as a deliverymedium for the transfer of information to client system 214. The clientcomputer system 214 may then independently download the selected digitalinformation files (or a subset thereof) into the mobile playback device212 for subsequent playback. The library server 260 also collects usagestatistics on the access history of the digital information files 262and stores this usage data into usage statistic storage area 264. Thelibrary server 260 also stores operating code segments (firmware) forthe client browser 219, software player 226, and for mobile playbackdevice 212. This operating code can be downloaded to the client computersystem 214 in the same manner as digital information files aretransferred. Player configuration data for playback device 212 andsoftware player 226 is stored on the library server 260 and can becustomized or updated in the same manner as digital information filesand firmware are transferred. Configuration data includes, but is notlimited to, audio prompts, user interface options, group ID information,and information playback parameters. Player configuration data istransferred to client computer system 214, software player 226, ormobile playback device 212 as required according to client information272.

[0038] The library server 260 interfaces with a client applicationprogram or client browser 219 executing on client computer system 214.The client browser 219 is used to make requests of library server 260for various types of service including, but not limited to, searchingthe digital information files 262 for a desired program, previewing aselected preview clip associated with a digital information file 262,purchasing a selected program, requesting operating code segments orplayer configuration data, and downloading the purchased program orother material to the requesting client computer system 214.

[0039] The library server 260 interface with the authorization server270 and client computer system 214 uses the unique authenticationprotocol and encryption protocol of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. The preferred embodiment of these protocols isdescribed in the sections below.

[0040] Client Computer System

[0041] Referring again to FIG. 2, the client computer system 214represents a consumer or end user computer system, typically a personalcomputer, such as the sample system illustrated in FIG. 1, with which aconsumer may browse, preview, select, purchase, and take delivery ofdigital information content from digital information library server 260across distribution network 240. Client computer system 214 comprisesclient browser software 219, a mobile device interface 221, storage forencrypted and compressed digital information files 220 downloaded fromthe network 240, software player 226, and segment download data 222derived from digital information files 220 for defining the storagesegments in mobile playback device 212 and for assisting in thedownloading of digital information files 220 from client computer system214 to mobile playback device 212. Client computer system 214 alsoincludes a server public key 215 used for authenticating digitalinformation and software files received from server 260. Client browsersoftware 219 provides the control logic with which the client orconsumer accesses and purchases titles from the digital informationlibrary 262 of library server 260. Client browser software 219 alsoprovides control logic which requests and downloads configurationinformation or operating code from server 260. The client browsersoftware 219 can be configured to perform these operations withoutdirect human intervention. The mobile device interface 221 is a softwareinterface used to control the transfer of control information, operatingcode, and digital information files from client computer system 214 tomobile playback device 212. Encrypted and compressed digital informationfiles 220 are received by client computer system 214 from library server260 over network 240. In an alternate embodiment, distributable massstorage media 241 is used instead of network 240 to transfer informationto client computer system 214. The software player 226 is a softwaremodule used to emulate the operation of mobile playback device 212 andfor playing digital information files through the sound circuitry 130and audio output device 132 of client computer system 214. Operatingcode and configuration information for the software player 226 can bedownloaded or updated from the server 260 in the same manner as themobile playback device 212 can be downloaded or updated. The softwareplayer 226 functionality is the equivalent of the functionality andoperation of the mobile playback device 212. Thus, the use of the term“player” throughout this document generally applies to both the mobileplayback device 212 and software player 226. Software players 226 areassigned unique player IDs and can be assigned group IDs that functionsimilarly to IDs assigned to mobile playback devices 212.

[0042] Mobile Playback Device

[0043] The mobile playback device 212 converts a digital informationfile into sound or displayable imagery which is played through audiooutput means or displayed on a display device. In the preferredembodiment, the mobile playback device 212 is a minimal capability,low-cost device primarily dedicated to playing audio files or displayingvisual images or text on a display device. The mobile playback device212 is minimally configured to retain its light-weight, low cost, andreadily mobile features. The preferred embodiment does not thereforeinclude the use of a portable personal computer or laptop computer asthe mobile playback device 212; because, such general purpose computingdevices typically do not meet the light-weight and low cost constraintsof the preferred mobile playback device 212. Such general purposecomputing devices typically have unnecessary functionality, morecomplicated interfaces, and may suffer cost and performance penalties incomparison to the special purpose mobile playback device 212. In thepreferred embodiment, the mobile playback device 212 includes aprocessor, memory, and an interface to client computer system 214 overwhich compressed digital information files 216 are received. Asdescribed in more detail below, mobile playback device 212 also includesa player ID 223, group IDs 225, and server public key 215 used forauthenticating digital information and software files received fromserver 260 via client computer system 214. The user controls the mobileplayback device 212 using buttons and knobs provided on the device.These controls are used to navigate through digital information files216, adjust configuration data and playback parameters, or perform otherfunctions as directed by firmware stored in playback device 212. Whencoupled to the player, client computer system 214 or other electronicdevices can solicit user input from these controls. In an alternativeembodiment, a set of additional user controls is provided on a remotecontrol unit that is coupled to the player via a wired or wirelessconnection. Digital information output may be provided via a headphonejack, on board speaker, or wireless transmitter to a separate wirelessreceiver with speakers or headphones. Audio level can be adjusted with avolume knob. A wireless transmitter may contain an adjustment knob toadjust the transmission frequency or other transmission parameters.Visual information output is provided via LCD display, LED display, oroutputs to a standard visual display device. The mobile playback device212 contains a limited quantity of non-volatile memory, RAM, and ROM.Digital information content, configuration data, and operating code arestored in the memory space of the mobile playback device 212.Configuration data includes but is not limited to: public and privateIDs, content playback parameters, and user interface parameters. The useof non-volatile memory allows portions of the digital informationcontent, configuration data, and firmware to be updated via download.Both digital information content and firmware (operating software) isstored in this memory device. Portions of the firmware and configurationinformation are stored permanently in a read only memory (ROM). Aninternal memory allocation method is used to track the content of mobileplayback device 212 memory. This allocation method, in conjunction withsegment navigation data 218, also provides the means for locatingdesired digital information, program, configuration data, or header dataresident in the mobile playback device 212 memory. The mobile playbackdevice 212 includes an interface to the client computer system 214through which the mobile playback device 212 receives compressed digitalinformation files 216, software updates, and configuration changes fromclient computer system 214.

[0044] Downloading Digital Information Content. Software Updates, orConfiguration Information from the Library Server to the Client ComputerSystem

[0045] The client browser software 219 of client computer system 214operates in cooperation with library management software 261 of libraryserver 260 and the firmware resident on the mobile playback device 212to provide a means by which a consumer may browse, preview, select,purchase, and take delivery of selected digital information content fromdigital information library server 260 across distribution network 240.The digital information content is typically downloaded to the clientcomputer system 214 at the time of purchase, but it is possible todownload digital information content either, 1) sometime after thepurchase, or 2) multiple times after an initial purchase. The clientbrowser 219 can be configured to download content to client computersystem 214 without user intervention. In addition, portions of theclient computer system 214 software itself or mobile playback device 212resident software/firmware may be downloaded or updated from libraryserver 260. The mobile playback device 212 resident software/firmware isdownloaded through client computer system 214. If library server 260 hasan updated or more recent copy of client computer system 214 software ormobile playback device 212 software/firmware, the library server copy isdownloaded to replace the outdated version of the corresponding clientcomputer system 214 software or mobile playback device software 212. Thesoftware is encrypted, scrambled, and digitally signed in a mannersimilar to the scrambling and delivery of the digital information files.Changes to the ID list, audio prompts, and other configuration data forplayback device 212 can be downloaded in a manner similar to thedownloading of software updates from library server 260.

[0046] The preferred embodiment utilizes three authentication processesto protect the transfer of information from server 260 to client system214 and playback device 212. First, a point-to-point authenticationprotocol is performed whereby the library server 260 must verify thatthe requesting client computer system 214 is an authorized client andthe client computer system 214 must verify that the library server 260is an authorized provider. Secondly, a targeting protocol is performedwhereby the library server 260 utilizes a set of identifiers (i.e.player IDs) for mobile playback devices 212 authorized to receive theselected download data from library server 260. The mobile playbackdevice identifiers are provided by client computer system 214 or arereferenced from user profiles stored on library server 260. In thetargeting process, library server 260 formats and downloads data thatcan only be read by mobile devices 212 with these identifiers. Thirdly,a library server digital signature is appended to the downloaded datafor use by the mobile playback device 212 to verify that the downloadeddata was originated by an authorized library server. These threeauthentication processes of the present invention are described indetail in the following sections.

[0047] Point-to-Point Authentication Protocol

[0048] The library server 260, client computer system 214, and mobileplayback devices 212 each have a unique verification sequence which isused to verify the authenticity of another system. In communicationsbetween library server 260 and client system 214, both systemsalternately act to (1) request verification of the other system and (2)provide an authenticating response to a verification request.Communication between mobile devices 212 and client computer system 214use a similar authentication protocol, as well as real-timecommunication between mobile devices 212 and library server 260 viaclient system 214. This verification sequence comprises a pre-definedset of bit streams or data structures which are sent by the requestingsystem (i.e. the system requesting verification) to the receiving systembeing authenticated (i.e. the respondent) in a point-to-pointtransmission. The receiving system must respond to the verificationsequence in a pre-defined manner by sending particular response bitstreams or data structures to the requesting system. If the appropriateresponse data from the respondent is received by the requesting system,the system being verified is considered an authorized system.Conversely, the system being verified is considered unauthorized if theappropriate response data is not received by the requesting system priorto a pre-defined time-out period. Both systems begin communication byacting as requesters and respondents in separate verification cycles.Upon completion of these point-to-point authentication cycles, furtherclient/server processing only continues if both systems deem each otherto be authorized systems.

[0049] In an alternate embodiment, point-to-point authentication is usedin a subset of the communications among library server 260, clientcomputer system 214, and mobile playback devices 212. In anotherembodiment, point-to-point authentication is not used and systemsecurity rests on the use of targeting and/or digital signatureauthentication.

[0050] Targeting Protocol

[0051] The targeting protocol of the present invention is a means andmethod for limiting the playback of digital information content, theadjustment of player configuration data, and the download of playeroperating code to a specified player 212/226 or a specified set ofmobile playback devices 212. Each player 212/226 contains a uniqueplayer ID 223. The player ID 223 comprises a public player ID and aprivate player ID. The public player ID is a unique identifier andserves as a serial number for player identification. The private playerID is used to target data for individual mobile playback devices 212.Private player IDs are never sent through any communications link ornetwork path, except during installation. In the preferred embodiment,private player IDs should be sufficiently diverse, but need not beunique.

[0052] Mobile playback devices 212 may be logically grouped togetherusing a Group ID. Digital information content, software, orconfiguration data changes may be targeted to a group of mobile playbackdevices 212 defined by a group ID. Each player 212/226 includes memoryspace for storage of one or more group IDs 225 of which the particularplayer 212/226 is a member. Each group ID includes a public portion anda private portion, each of which is equivalent to the public and privateplayer IDs, respectively. Each group is identified by a uniquely valuedpublic ID that is not shared with other player or group IDs. Digitalinformation content, software, or configuration data can be targeted toa particular group ID in the same way as it would be targeted for aspecific player ID. Mobile playback devices 212 in the same group sharethe same Group ID. A particular Group ID is pre-defined as the globalgroup to which all mobile playback devices 212 are a member. Mobileplayback devices 212 may be members of more than one group. A particularplayer 212/226 is added to a new group by appending the new group ID tothe set of group IDs 225 maintained in the particular player 212/226.The new group ID is appended after the server 260 provides a publicgroup ID and a group key to the player 212/226 via client computersystem 214. The player 212/226 generates a private group ID from thecombination of the group key and the mobile playback device's 212private player ID. As with the private player ID, the private group IDis never sent through any communications link or network path, exceptduring installation. In an alternative embodiment, players receive thegroup private ID directly or by combining the group key with the playerspublic ID or other known numeric value. In another alternativeembodiment, the private group ID is not used in the targeting processand is not transferred to the player. The group assignment process maybe restricted to using real-time communications between server 260 andthe player via client system 214, or it may take place sometime aftergroup assignments have been downloaded to client system 214. Havingdescribed the player IDs and group IDs defined in the present invention,the use of these IDs in the targeting protocol is described next.

[0053] Library server 260 includes a player ID table 266 as shown inFIG. 2. Player ID table 266 includes a storage area for private IDs andpublic IDs. The private IDs are pre-loaded into player table 266 when anew mobile playback device is installed into the system or when a newgroup is established. In another embodiment, ID table 266 is amathematical function which converts group or player public IDs. Publicplayer and group IDs are sent by a client computer system 214 to theserver 260 when the client computer system 214 desires to target aparticular player 212/226 or set of mobile playback devices 212 to aparticular specified digital information, software content, orconfiguration data selection. Digital information selection is made fromthe files 262 stored on library server 260. Software or configurationdata selection is made from files stored on server 260 or from datagenerated upon request by server 260. Software content and configurationdata is prepared and scrambled in a manner similar to the authoringprocess for digital information content. Once an association is made byclient computer system 214 between a set of targeted public IDs and theassociated data to be transferred from server 260, library server 260creates a targeted header for the selected files. The library managementsoftware 261 consults the public ID to private ID table 266 to locatethe corresponding targeted private ID(s). The targeted header comprisesa combination of the descrambling map 322 from the selected files withthe private player IDs corresponding to the targeted mobile playbackdevices 212. The descrambling map 322 is thereby encrypted using thesecret IDs of the targeted mobile playback device(s) 212. This targetedheader is linked with the corresponding digital information or softwarecontent of the selected file in a network transport ready data block. Adigital signature is applied to the data block as described below inconnection with the data signature protocol. Transport integrity data(such as the use of checksums or cyclic redundancy check) is applied tothe data block and the data block is sent to the client computer system214 via network 240. Because the data block can only be unscrambledusing the corresponding descrambling block 322 in its header and becausethe descrambling block 322 was combined (i.e. encrypted) with a privateID known only by the targeted mobile playback device(s) 212, only thetargeted mobile playback device(s) 212 will be able to unscramble andread the data block. The selected digital information, software content,and configuration data is thereby targeted to a particular set of mobileplayback devices 212.

[0054] For small groups of mobile playback devices 212, each targetedheader of a digital information file may contain a plurality ofdescrambling maps, each associated with a different player 212/226. Inthis manner, multiple mobile playback devices 212 can read a single file220 stored on the client computer system 214.

[0055] A person of ordinary skill in the art will note that alternativemethods of targeting exist. In an alternative embodiment, library server260 uses the targeted recipient's private player 212/226 identifier orthe targeted group's private group identifier to generate scrambling map316. Descrambling map 322 is not stored with the file as it is alreadyknown by the recipient player or group. This method targets content to asingle player 212/226 or group and achieves the identical result ofpreventing unauthorized playback of content.

[0056] In another alternative embodiment, library server 260 does notscramble the digital information content or uses a known key to scramblethe digital information content. In this embodiment, descrambling map322 is unnecessary and is not stored with the file. Either the public orprivate player 212/226 identifier can be stored in the header fortargeting identification purposes. Upon receipt of data from libraryserver 260, the player 212/226 checks if its player 212/226 identifieror group identifier is included in the header. This method assumesunmodified mobile playback devices 212 and achieves the identical resultof preventing unauthorized playback of content.

[0057] In another alternative embodiment, the player IDs for thetargeted mobile playback devices 212 are sent to the library server 260by the client computer system 214 when the user registers with thelibrary server 260 to obtain the user's client ID. In this alternativeembodiment, these player IDs are stored on the library server 260 in auser profile. In this embodiment, the library server 260 manages theplayer IDs for the targeted mobile playback devices 212.

[0058] Digital Signature Protocol

[0059] The third authentication protocol used in the present inventionis the digital signature protocol. For selected data blocks generated bylibrary server 260 and downloaded to a client computer system 214,library server 260 uses its private library key 263 to apply a digitalsignature to the data block. The digital signature comprises a known bitstring or data pattern which is combined with the data in data blocksthat are downloaded from library server 260 to client computer system214. The library server 260 may perform this operation on all the datablocks or a selected subset of the data blocks. After a data block isdownloaded to a player 212/226 through a client computer system 214, theplayer 212/226 can retrieve the digital signature applied by the libraryserver 260 using a public server key known to the player 212/226. Theplayer 212/226 can thereby verify that the data block originated with anauthorized library server 260. The public server key is also known toclient computer system 214, which can perform the identical operation toverify that the data block originated with an authorized library server260. In this embodiment, library server 260 performs signatures on thecontent. A person of ordinary skill in the art would realize that thesignatures may also be performed on the digital information by authoringsystem 280. The signatures may also be performed in a multiple stepprocess shared by authoring system 280 and library server 260.

[0060] In an alternate embodiment, digital signatures are applied todownloaded material by a trusted client computer system 214. In anotheralternate embodiment, digital signatures are not applied to downloadedmaterial and system security rests on the use of targeting and/orpoint-to-point authentication.

[0061] Downloading Digital Information Content, Software Updates, orConfiguration Information from the Client Computer System to the MobilePlayback Device

[0062] In a first step, the client computer system 214 and the mobiledevice use the point-to-point authentication protocol described above toverify that an authorized mobile playback device 212 is communicatingwith an authorized client computer system 214. If this is the case, themobile playback device 212 transmits its memory map to the clientcomputer system 214 via the mobile device interface 221. A table ofcontents defining the available digital information files 220 and playerconfiguration profiles resident in client computer system 214 isdisplayed along with the mobile playback device 212 memory map for auser of client computer system 214. The user selects which files 220 ofclient computer system 214 should replace portions or segments ofspecified mobile playback device 212 memory as defined by the mobileplayback device 212 memory map. Alternately, client browser 219 can beconfigured to automatically perform this selection process. In eithercase, the user is prevented from selecting digital information contentlarger than the available memory of playback device 212. In addition,control software and/or configuration data for playback device 212 maybe automatically updated by client computer 214. The specified digitalinformation files 220, associated headers, operating code, orconfiguration data are thereafter downloaded into mobile playback device212 memory. The mobile playback device 212 uses checksums to verify theintegrity of the download. The mobile playback device 212 uses theserver public key 215, the header, and the digital signature toauthenticate the download as described above. The header descramblingmap is used by targeted mobile playback devices 212 to unscramble thedownloaded data. In other embodiments, mobile playback device 212 mayunscramble the downloaded data and/or decompress the downloaded databefore authenticating the signature. Each segment of the digitalinformation content may be independently authenticated and validatedusing any of the techniques described above. Digital information promptson the mobile playback device 212 guide the user to the desired portionof the downloaded digital information content as specified by the tableof contents residing in the header of the downloaded data. The user maypreview selected portions of the digital information content byselecting a preview option. The preview option plays a predeterminedportion of a selected digital information program. Upon selection of aparticular digital information program, the selected digital informationprogram is played for the user after the mobile playback device 212converts the digital information content into sound or displayableimagery which is played through an audio output means or displayed on adisplay device.

[0063] The software player 226 of client computer system 214 may alsoreceive digital information content in approximately the same form asthe digital information content downloaded to the mobile playback device212; however, the digital information content for the software player226 does not need to be downloaded to the software player 226. Thesoftware player 226 has direct access to the digital informationcontent; because, it shares memory and/or disk storage space with theclient computer system 214. Therefore, there are no downloading ormemory map concerns. In the same manner as the mobile playback device212, the software player 226 performs digital signature verification,verification of checksums, and receiving targeted information. In analternative embodiment, software player 226 may use a communicationprotocol similar to that of mobile playback device 212 when receivingdigital information content, configuration information, and dynamicallydownloaded software.

[0064]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 4, authoring system 280 can support aplurality of library servers 260. Each library server can be configuredto support a specific type of digital information content. In the samemanner described above, the client computer systems 214 access network240 and obtain digital information content from any of the libraryservers 260 after performing the authentication process described above.Authorization server 270 is provided for this purpose. The configurationillustrated in FIG. 4 provides a more distributed architecture therebydispersing the load across several server platforms. A site with manyclient computer systems 214 may have its own library server 260 toreduce demand on network 240. This architecture scales well as thenumber of client computer systems 214 grows and the content provided bythe library server 260 grows.

[0065]FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present inventionexcept the library server 461 has been implemented as a plurality ofseparate processes or tasks 460 running concurrently on a single libraryserver platform 461. Each library server process 460 services requestsfor access to its corresponding portion of the digital informationcontent. This content is created using authoring system 280 in themanner described above. The authorization server 270 is used to validatethe links between the client computer systems 214 and the library serverprocesses 460. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 is advantageousin that the convenience of a single server is maintained while thescalability of multiple libraries is also supported.

[0066] This concept can also be used for the authoring and authorizationservers 280 and 270, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6, the authoringsystem 280 and the authorization server 270 is implemented on a singleplatform 685 as authoring process 680 and authorization process 670.These processes perform the same functions as described above, exceptthe implementation provides the convenience of a single server and thescalability of multiple processes for the authoring and authorizationtasks.

[0067]FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment wherein theclient computer systems 214 include a local library 710. The locallibrary 710 provides a local storage area and library access controlfunctionality which provides access to a subset of the archived digitalinformation from library server 260. In the manner described above, theuser of a client computer system 214 identifies the titles or items ofdigital information in library server 260 that the user wishes toaccess. In the preferred embodiment, these content selections aretransferred to a client storage area 220 (as shown in FIG. 2) forsubsequent downloading to mobile playback device 212. The embodimentshown in FIG. 7 expands upon the client storage area 220 and creates alocal library 710. The local library 710 is used for storage of selectedcontent; but also for searching, sorting, categorizing, and abstractingthe locally stored content. The local library 710 allows a clientcomputer system 214 to maintain a small subset of the full library whichmay be used to create custom collections of content in a variety of userselected configurations. Client systems 214 may be permitted to accessthe contents of local libraries 710 on other client systems 214. In arelated alternate embodiment, library server processes 460 may alsoreside on selected client systems 214. This embodiment allows clientsystems 214 to browse and purchase content that is scrambled, targeted,and delivered from library server process 460 executing on a locallypositioned client system 214. By maintaining the library locally, aportion of the network access and transfer overhead is eliminated.

[0068]FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the client computer system 214 is eliminated and themobile playback device 212 is connected directly to the network 240through network interface 810. In the preferred embodiment, the mobileplayback device 212 is a minimal capability device primarily dedicatedto playing audio files or displaying visual images or text on a displaydevice. The mobile playback device 212 is minimally configured to retainits light-weight, low cost, and readily mobile features. The preferredembodiment does not therefore include the use of a portable personalcomputer or laptop computer; because, such devices typically do not meetthe light-weight and low cost constraints of the preferred mobileplayback device 212. However, the minimal mobile playback device 212 maybe augmented to add network interface 810 which comprises a conventionalhardware connector, hardware buffers and controllers, and firmwaresupport for a particular conventional network protocol. For example, themobile playback device 212 may be augmented with an integrated modemthat includes a telephone jack with which the playback device may beconnected to a telephone network. It will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that network interface 810 may be implementedin a low cost and light-weight device such as mobile playback device212. Because the client system browser 219 would not be available in thealternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a simplified user interface maybe provided in firmware or other non-volatile memory of mobile playbackdevice 212 with which the user may select items of digital informationfor download and playback from library server 260. As described above,the authentication process to validate the link between the mobileplayback device 212 and the library server 260 must also be performedprior to user access to the library server 260 content. Alternatively, aclient system 814 coupled to network 240 may be provided to supportclient browser 219 and thereby enable selection of items of digitalinformation for download and playback from library server 260 directlyto any of the mobile playback devices 212. Client systems 814 maysupport local storage of digital information, software, andconfiguration data in a form similar to storage space 220 or locallibrary 710. In addition, a more simplified implementation of networkinterface 810 may be designed to communicate via network 240 to clientsystem 814 instead of library server 260.

[0069] In another alternative embodiment of the present invention,digital information programming selections are made using the clientcomputer system 214 and library server 260 as described above; however,the selections are delivered on mass storage medium 241. Mass storagemedium 241 represents any of a variety of conventional mass storagetechnologies including CD-ROM, PCMCIA cards, DVDs, floppy disks,removable hard drives, digital magnetic tape, optical cards, flashmemory or other optical, magnetic, electronic, or semiconductor memorydevices. Upon selection by a user of a client computer system 214,selected programming is targeted and scrambled as described above andtransferred to a selected mass storage medium 241 and mailed,hand-delivered, or held for pickup by the user. Once the user takesphysical possession of the selected mass storage media 241, the selectedprogramming may be read from the mass storage medium 241 by the clientbrowser 219 and thereafter transferred to the mobile playback device 212as described above. FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the systemthat does not include the use of client computer 214 to transfer data tomobile playback device 212. Kiosk 910 consists of a computer system suchas the one described above in FIG. 1. Kiosk 910 is a publicly accessibleunit that can perform browse, content purchase, and download functionsin a manner equivalent to a client computer system 214. The kiosk 910 isspecial because it contains its own library server for fast local accessand download of content. Kiosk 910 contains a mobile device interface221, a special version of client browser 219, and local library serverprocess 460. Kiosk library server process 460 has local storage ofscrambled and compressed digital information files 262. These compressedinformation files 262 originate from remote authoring system 280 and maybe delivered via physical transport of mass storage media 241 or viadistribution network 240. A customer operates client browser 219 tobrowse, select, and purchase digital information files that aredelivered to the customer's mobile playback device 212. Authentication,targeting, and download processes are performed within the kiosk bylibrary server process 460 that is connected to remote authorizationserver 270 over network 240. In a related embodiment, FIG. 7 shows aclient system 214 with local library 710 that can be converted into akiosk with functionality similar to kiosk 910. In this system, a specialversion of client browser 219 provides the same user functionality asthe previous kiosk embodiment.

[0070] An alternate embodiment of the system uses a common communicationnetwork to connect all system components. In FIG. 10, network 240 isdirectly coupled to client system 214 and 814, network interface(s) 810,library server(s) 260, authorization server 270, and authoring system(s)280. One of ordinary skill in the art will realize that network 240 canalso be segmented into a number of independent networks or communicationlinks without changing the functionality of the system.

[0071] Thus, a method and apparatus for implementing a computer networkbased digital information library system employing authentication andencryption protocols for the secure transfer of digital informationlibrary programs, software, and configuration data to a client computersystem and a mobile digital information playback device removablyconnectable to the client computer system is disclosed. Although thepresent invention has been described with respect to specific examplesand subsystems, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart that the invention is not limited to these specific examples orsubsystems but extends to other embodiments as well. The presentinvention includes all of these other embodiments as specified in theclaims that follow.

We claim:
 1. A computer based library and information delivery systemfor accessing and obtaining selected digital information files, saidlibrary and information delivery system comprising: a library serverhaving a plurality of digital information files; a client computersystem coupled to said library server over a network; and a mobiledevice removably connectable to said client computer system, said clientcomputer system including logic for requesting a download of a selectedone or more of said digital information files from said library server,said client computer system further including logic for downloading saidselected one or more of said digital information files to said mobiledevice.
 2. The library and information delivery system as claimed inclaim 1 further including an authoring system coupled to said libraryserver for generating or modifying said plurality of digital informationfiles.
 3. The library and information delivery system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said plurality of digital information files includesaudio files, spoken audio files, visual image files, text files, videofiles, multimedia files, operating code files, or configurationinformation files.
 4. The library and information delivery system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said library server further includes librarymanagement software for interfacing with said client computer system andsaid plurality of digital information files.
 5. The library andinformation delivery system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clientcomputer system further includes a client browser for interfacing withsaid library server and for making selections of one or more of saiddigital information files from said library server.
 6. The library andinformation delivery system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clientcomputer system further includes a player for tangibly playing saidselected one or more of said digital information files on said clientcomputer system.
 7. The library and information delivery system asclaimed in claim wherein said mobile device further includes a means fortangibly playing said selected one or more of said digital informationfiles downloaded from said client computer system.
 8. The library andinformation delivery system as claimed in claim 1 further including anauthorization server coupled to said library server for authorizingaccess to said plurality of digital information files by said clientcomputer system.
 9. The library and information delivery system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said library server is a software processrunning on several computer systems.
 10. The library and informationdelivery system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said library server andsaid authoring system run on different computer systems.
 11. The libraryand information delivery system as claimed in claim 8 wherein saidlibrary server and said authorization server run on different computersystems.
 12. The library and information delivery system as claimed inclaim 1 further including an authoring system coupled to said libraryserver for generating or modifying said plurality of digital informationfiles, said library and information delivery system further including anauthorization server coupled to said library server for authorizingaccess to said plurality of digital information files by said clientcomputer system, said library and information delivery system running ona single computer system.
 13. The library and information deliverysystem as claimed in claim 1 further including an authoring systemcoupled to said library server for generating or modifying saidplurality of digital information files, said library and informationdelivery system further including an authorization server coupled tosaid library server for authorizing access to said plurality of digitalinformation files by said client computer system, said authoring systemand said authorization server running on a different computer systemthan said library server.
 14. The library and information deliverysystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein said client computer system furtherincludes a local library for local storage of a selected portion of saidplurality of digital information files.
 15. The library and informationdelivery system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mobile device furtherincludes a network interface for direct communication with a networkwithout the aid of a client computer system.
 16. The library andinformation delivery system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said logic fordownloading further includes logic for limiting said download based onavailable memory of said mobile device.
 17. The library and informationdelivery system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said logic for downloadingfurther includes logic for performing authentication on each segment ofsaid digital information files downloaded to said mobile device.
 18. Thelibrary and information delivery system as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid client computer system further includes logic for previewing saiddigital information files prior to being downloaded to said mobiledevice.
 19. The library and information delivery system as claimed inclaim 1 further including authentication logic for authenticating accessto said library, said authentication logic including a means forperforming a point-to-point authentication protocol.
 20. The library andinformation delivery system as claimed in claim 1 further includingauthentication logic for authenticating access to said library, saidauthentication logic including a means for performing a targetingauthentication protocol.
 21. The library and information delivery systemas claimed in claim 1 further including authentication logic forauthenticating access to said library, said authentication logicincluding a means for performing a digital signature authenticationprotocol.
 22. In a computer based library and information deliverysystem, said library and information delivery system including a libraryserver having a plurality of digital information files, a clientcomputer system coupled to said library server over a network, and amobile device removably connectable to said client computer system, amethod for accessing and obtaining selected digital information filescomprising the steps of: requesting a download of a selected one or moreof said digital information files from said library server; anddownloading said selected one or more of said digital information filesto said mobile device.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 22 furtherincluding a step of generating or modifying said plurality of digitalinformation files.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein saidplurality of digital information files includes audio files, spokenaudio files, visual image files, text files, video files, multimediafiles, operating code files, or configuration information files.
 25. Themethod as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of activatinglibrary management software for interfacing with said client computersystem and said plurality of digital information files.
 26. The methodas claimed in claim 22 further including a step of interfacing with saidlibrary server and for making selections of one or more of said digitalinformation files from said library server.
 27. The method as claimed inclaim 22 further including a step of tangibly playing said selected oneor more of said digital information files on said client computersystem.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a stepof tangibly playing said selected one or more of said digitalinformation files downloaded from said client computer system.
 29. Themethod as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of authorizingaccess to said plurality of digital information files by said clientcomputer system.
 30. The method as claimed in claim 22 further includingthe steps of generating or modifying said plurality of digitalinformation files, and authorizing access to said plurality of digitalinformation files by said client computer system, said library andinformation delivery system running on a single computer system.
 31. Themethod as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of locallystoring a selected portion of said plurality of digital informationfiles.
 32. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step ofdirectly communicating with a network without the aid of a clientcomputer system.
 33. The method as claimed in claim 22 further includinga step of limiting said download based on available memory of saidmobile device.
 34. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including astep of performing authentication on each segment of said digitalinformation files downloaded to said mobile device.
 35. The method asclaimed in claim 22 further including a step of previewing said digitalinformation files prior to being downloaded to said mobile device. 36.The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of performinga point-to-point authentication protocol.
 37. The method as claimed inclaim 22 further including a step of performing a targetingauthentication protocol.
 38. The method as claimed in claim 22 furtherincluding a step of performing a digital signature authenticationprotocol.